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I Freddy^s Great Aunt 



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Copyright, 1904, by Samuel French 



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192 Gambler's Fate 

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199 Miller and his Men 

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215 Fashion, Mrs. Mowatt 

216 Glance at New York 
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242 Mary's Birthday 

243 Shandy Maguire 

244 Wild OaU 

245 Michael Erie 

246 Idiot Witness 

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248 People's Lawyer 

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251 Surgeon of Paris 

252 Patrician's Daughter 

253 Shoemaker of Toulousa 

254 Momentous Question 
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256 Robber's Wife 

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Wreck Ashore 

259 Clari 

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263 Tha Fireman 

264 Grist to the Mill 

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265 Two Loves and a Life 

266 Annie Blake 

267 Steward 

268 Captain Kyd 

269 Nick of the Woods 

270 Marble Heart 

271 Second Lova 

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273 Breach of Promise 

274 Review 

275 Lad V of the Lake 

276 Still Water Runs Deep 

277 The Scholar 
271 Helping Hands 

279 Faust and Marguerite 

280 Last Man 

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291 Zelina 

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305 The Lost Ship 

306 Country Squire 

307 Fraud and its Victims 

308 Putnam 
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310 La Fiammina 

311 A Hard Struggle 

312 Gwinnette Vaughan 

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313 The Love Knot [Judge 

314 Lavater, or Not a Bad 

315 The Noble Heart 

316 Coriolanus 

317 The Winter's T.ile 

318 Eveleen Wilson 

319 Ivanhoe 
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SAMUEL FRENCH, 26 West 32d Street, New York City. 

New auCl Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Request, 



FREDDY'S GREAT AUNT 

A Play for Female Characters 



BY 

ELLA CRANE WILKINSON 



Copyright, 1904, 

By 

SAMUEL FRENCH 



New York: 

SAMUEL FRENCH, 

Publisher, 

2(> WEST 22ND STREET. 



London : 
SAMUEL FRENCH LTD. 

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STRAND, LONDON, W.C. 



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LIBRARY of C0NQSES8 
Two Copies Received 

NOV 38 1904 

-fn GopyriL'nt tntry 
CUSS A^ XXc. Noj 

>51 ^ 3 

B. 



CUSS A^ XXc. Noj 



(^C 



.f -r 



FREDDY'S GREAT AUNT 



CHARACTERS: 

Miss Harmon (Freddy's Aunt). 

Mrs. Alden. 

Miss Cragin (sister to Mrs. Alden). 

Freddy Alden. 

Miss Bean (village gossip). 

Mrs. Scrib ) , f. u \ 

Mrs. Jones r^^^^^"««" ^^"^^^>- 

Scene I. — Ladies' Waiting Room at Railroad Station. 
Plain ordinary room toith chairs and settees. 

Costumes modern, but old-fashioned costumes, if possible, 
for Miss Bean, Mrs. Scrib and Mrs. Jones. 

Freddy, (sitting reading book — dressed for travelling, 
— hag, umbrella, etc.) 

Fred, (closing book) That train's late and I'm tired 
to death waiting for it. (yawns) I can't imagine why- 
mamma insisted upon my taking this trip so suddenly. 
There's some mystery about it, that she didn't explain to 
me — and that's not a bit like mamma, (gets up and 
goes to door) Oh porter, did my trunk come? Yes? 
You'll check i.t for me? Thank you! (rumble heard 
outside) Ah, there's the train, (gathers up bag and 
goes out but returns immediately) How provoking! 
It's the down train. I felt just like getting on and going 
back. I don't mind travelling so much, but the changing 
cars is so disagreeable, (goes to glass and arranges hat 
and hair) 

(Enter Miss Harmon, limping and groaning.) 

Miss Harmon. That savage — ! that ruffian — He's 
ciippled me for life, (drops bag, buvdlc, etc., sits down 
groaning. Ifer hat is on awry) 

Fred. Wliy what's the matter. You are hurt? 
1 



2 FREDDY'S GREAT AUNT. 

Miss H. Fatally injured — I'm afraid. 

Fred, {alarmed) Has there been an accident? Let 
me help you — I'll call some one. (starts toward door) 

Miss H. {sitting bolt upright) Don't you do it. 
I'm not going to have a crowd around me. I prefer to die 
peacefully. 

Fred. But, my dear Madam, can't you tell me where 
you're suffering? 

Miss H. My foot. He trampled all over it. Pur- 
posely, too. Young brute! 

Fred, {concerned) Anything broken? {sJie looks at 
foot which Miss H. has stuck straight out before her) 

Miss H. Every single bone, and it's mashed to a pulp 
besides, {groans and wiggles foot) 

Fred. This is dreadful. Don't you think I ought to 
go for a doctor? 

Miss H. {very decidedly) I never let a doctor come 
near me. Don't believe in 'em. But if you could just run 
out and catch that young villain who has brought me to 
this pass, I'd be much obliged to you. He wore a blue 
coat, or a grey one — or some kind. That doesn't matter. 
Seize him, and bring him to me. After I've cuffed his 
wicked ears I'll feel greatly relieved. He ran up the 
street, or down — I don't remember which — Well — are 
you going? 

Fred. I'm afraid I wouldn't find the — the man — did 
you say? 

Miss H. Man I didn't say. Boy! Oh, if I could only 
lay hands on him. There should be police regulations 
about boys. They should never be allowed to run around 
loose. They're a menace to human life, {swings foot and 
groans ) 

Fred, {aside) Now, isn't she peculiar? But I think 
she's really suffering and I'll try and help her. {to Miss 
H. ) If I can't catch your bad boy, I may' be able to make 
your foot feel better, {kneels dotcn and unlaces her shoe, 
Miss H. jerking her foot and uttering little, sharp cries of 
pain) There, the shoe's untied, and I'm sure it will re- 
lieve you. I'll hold your foot in my hand — so — and per- 
haps that will ease it. How small it is! 

Miss H. {pleased) \^ou think so? Strange how every 
one notices that, {aside) Now that I look at her, she's 
a charming young girl, {to Fred) There, my dear, that 
will do. {rubs hands over face) How hot I am. Those 
stuffy cars and the day so warm. 

Fred. Let me bathe your face with some cologne I have 
in my bag. {gets bottle out of bag, pours cologne on 
handkerchief and gently bathes Miss H.'s face, smoothes 



FREDDY'S GREAT AUNT. 3 

her hair and sets her bonnet on straight) There, now, 
I'm sure you'll feel better. 

Miss H. Thank you, my dear, I'm greatly refreshed. 
It's very considerate of you to take so much trouble over 
a cross old woman. Sit down, and let me talk to you a 
little. You can't imagine how lovely you seem to me 
after my experience with that horrible boy. And to think, 
I've always believed I liked them better than girls. I 
shall hate the sight of anything in caps and knickerbockers 
after this. 

J^'red. Now do you know, I've always wanted a brother. 

Miss H. You haven't any? 

Fred. No. In fact, I haven't a sister either. I'm an 
only child. 

Miss H. Then, of course, you've been dreadfully spoiled. 
Still you don't show it. 

Fred, (laughing) Oh, as to that, I have the dearest, 
most sensible mother in the world. She loved me too 
well to spoil me, though, of course, I'm not perfect. But 
it's not my mother's fault. She's worked over me hard 
enough. 

Miss H. She's succeeded pretty well, I judge. But 
tell me, where are you going? Do you take the down 
train or the up? 

Fred. The up. You see, I started quite unexpectedly. 
For some reason, mamma decided all at once that I must 
go to her cousin's for a visit. I'm to stay until I'm sent 
for. I don't understand it^ and I'm afraid I don't quite 
like it. However, mamma seemed so anxious about it, I 
didn't make any objections — except just a little perhaps 
— at first. What puzzles me though is her not giving 
me any reason for sending me off so suddenly. But she'll 
tell me all about it when she thinks best for me to know. 
And I really like Cousin Sarah. 

Miss H. (aside) Isn't that a sweet disposition! 
What a pity she couldn't have been my niece, (to Fred) 
I'm sorry you're not going my way. We could have had 
a pleasant " journey " together. 

Fred. You are going down? 

Miss H. (dismally) Yes. And I'm afraid I'm not 
going to like the person I'm on my way to see. He's sure 
to be big and rough and everything that's not nice. How 
I wish he were a girl. And yet, how proud I've always 
been to think he had his father's name — Frederick. 

Fred. Do you know that's my name too. Odd — isn't 
it? 

Miss H. (horrified) Odd! It's barbarous! Who 
gave you a boy's name? You should have been called Rose 



4 FEEDDY'S GREAT AUNT. 

or Lily or Violet, or some such sweet gentle name. But 
Frederick 

Fred, (laughing) Oh, it isn't exactly Frederick. It's 
Fredericka — after my father. You see every one was so 
sure I was to be a boy that they felt bound to name me 
after papa even when I was just a girl. Then, after dear 
papa died, {sighs) every one was so glad I had his 
name. You can't think what a comfort it is to mamma. 

Miss H. Um . Perhaps there's some little excuse 

for it then. But I shall call you Fanny, if you don't 
mind. It's near enough, and more civilized. I do wish you 
might have been my niece. ( tal-es Fred's hand and pats it 
lovingly) You don't know how I dread meeting that boy — 
my nephew, or rather my grandnephew. While I've al- 
ways been glad to think of him, as a boy, I confess I've put 
off coming in contact with him as long as possible. But 
I'll have to see him some time, and I really ought to pay 
more attention to him. Hope I'll live through it. 

Fred. Perhaps he won't be so very bad. I know some 
nice boys. 

Miss H. [decidedly) Now, my dear Fanny, don't try 
and raise false hopes. I know he'll be horrid in every way. 
But I'm going to do my duty, even if I do come out totally 
done up. I only hope he doesn't sing coon songs. 

Fred. Don't you like music? 

Miss H. Love it. But a boy bawling coon, songs 

( shudders ) 

Fred. I'm glad you care for music. I love it too. 

Miss H. (eagerly) You sing? 

Fred. A little. My voice has never been trained — be- 
cause — well, we aren't rich enough to pay for lessons. So 
I just sing the best I can without knowing anything about 
correct methods. 

Miss H. And you would like the lessons? 

Fred. Oh, more than anything else in the world. But 
it's of no use thinking of it. We never could afford it. 
Hark! here's my train. Good bye — and I hope your foot 
wont trouble you. (shakes hands, snatches bag, etc., and 
goes out) 

Miss H. (looking after her) Now, isn't she perfectly 
angelic ! Sings, too, and wants lessons that she can't afford. 
And here I am with more money than I can possibly spend. 
Well, she shall have the lessons and everything else that I 
can give her. I'll do my whole duty by my nephew — coon 

songs and all — and then — I'll hunt up Fanny and 

(pauses in dismay) Well — isn't that stupid of me — I 
never found out a thing about her — except her name — 
Fan — Fanny — and even that isn't right. I don't know 



FREDDY'S GREAT AUNT. 5 

Avliere she's going — or where she lives. Frances Harmon — 
you're a born idiot. 

Curtain. 

Scene II. — ^Mrs. Alden's sitting room. A comfortably fur- 
nished room with chairs R. and L. Table set for after- 
noon tea. Mrs. Alden sitting at one end of the table 
and Miss Cragin at the other. 

Mrs. Alden (sighing) Will this dreadful week never 
end! I've grown so nervous that I start at every sound, 
and I haven't slept decently since Aunt Harmon came. 

Miss C. I think you were very foolish not to have told 
her in the first place. She's sure to find out sooner or 
later. 

Mrs. a. I wish I had. But it's too late now. She 
wouldn't forgive the deceit. 

Miss C. I'd risk it. Anything would be better than liv- 
ing in such constant dread. Let me tell her. 

Mrs. a. {hastily) Oh, no — no — not for the world. 
You don't understand. She's always supposed Freddy was 
a boy. At first it was merely a joke and we laughed so 
much at her writing of her nephew, and all the things she 
meant to do for him when he was older. Then, after my 
poor Frederick died, she seemed to lose all interest in us 
and we haven't heard of her in years. I thought she'd for- 
gotten all about us until I received her letter last week. 
In it she wrote that Fred must be a big boy by now — and 
she felt it her duty to fulfill her promise to do something 
for him. You know how poor we are, since that awful bank 
failure, last year. And poor Freddy breaking her heart be- 
cause she can't have singing lessons, (leans head on hand 
and sighs) 

Miss C. I know all that, sister. But I still think you're 
doing wrong. Freddy could not understand why she was 
sent away in such a hurry. I don't see how you're ever 
going to explain it to her. 

Mrs. a. I never can. But that doesn't worry me so 
much as keeping her sex a secret from Aunt Harmon. She 
says she must go tomorrow, and since I've got along so 
far without her discovering it, I hope to be able to carry 
it through for one day more. But I do feel like such a 
miserable fraud. 

Miss C. I should think you would. I'm heartily 
ashamed of it, and in. favor of telling the whole thing at 
once. If she doesn't want to do anything for her niece sim- 



6 FREDDY'S GREAT AUNT. 

ply because she isn't her nephew — why let her keep her 
money. 

Mrs. a. {putting handkerchief to eyes) Oh, sister, I 
never had your courage and your independent spirit. I can 
only think what it means to Freddy. 

Miss C. Freddy will do very well without her great- 
aunt's help. Does she ever complain? Well, I think not. 
There never was a happier, more contented girl. And I 
doubt if she would thank you for getting anything for her 
under false pretenses, 

Mrs. a. Don't, sister, don't. You're so harsh. You 
make me feel like a thief, (sohs) 

Miss C. {aside) Poor little woman! How weak she's 
always been, {to Mrs. A.) Well — well, I didn't mean 
to make you any more unhappy. Dry your eyes — and look 
a little more cheerful before any one comes in. {pats her 
gently on shoulder) Here's Miss Harmon. 

{Enter Miss H. in afternoon dress, lace cap and knitting. 
Mrs. a. and Miss C. both rise.) 

Mrs. a. {offering easy chair) Have this chair, Aunt. 
You'll find it very comfortable. 

Miss H. No, thank you, niece. I've never cultivated in- 
dolent habits. I can't begin now. {takes straight-hacked 
chair; to Mrs. A.) When did you say you expected Fred? 

Mrs. a. {hesitating) I — er — well, not until next 
week. 

Miss H. I'm afraid I won't see him then. I leave to- 
morrow. 

Mrs, a. Must you? 

Miss H. Yes. I never change my plans and I've ar- 
ranged to go tomorrow. 

Mrs. a. I'm — so sorry. 

Miss C. {aside) You hypocrite, {to Miss H.) You'd 
be sure to love Fred. Everybody does, {goes to table and 
arranges cups, etc.) 

Miss H. {slowly) No doubt, {aside) I know just 
the kind of a nuisance that boy is. Brought up by a weak 
little mother, and petted to death by that aunt. Grappling 
irons wouldn't hold me here until he gets back, {to Mrs. 
A. ) You're sure he won't be back until next week ? 

Mrs. a. Quite sure, Aunt, unless you insist upon my 
sending 

Miss H. {hurriedly) No — oh, no — not for the world. 
Some other time I may see him, {aside) I won't ris* my 
life in the house with that young Indian. I'm sure he's 
that. 



FREDDY'S GREAT AUNT. 7 

Mrs. a. (relieved) Very well. Aunt. As you say, some 
other time when you're not so hurried. 

{Enter jyiiss Bean. Mrs. A. and Miss C. greet her and 
present her to Miss H.) 

Miss B. (dropping into chair and fanning herself) Am 
I the first one here ? Well, you know I always like to come 
early — it gives one a chance to see everybody else. Noth- 
ing like these little afternoon teas for promoting sociability 
I say. Just the place to hear all that's going on in the vil- 
lage. You know what a neighborly creature I am — what 
an interest I take in every one? I'm what you may call 
sympathetic. Mrs. Alden, have you heard the dreadful 
rumor about Jamie Lane? (Mrs. A. shakes head) You 
haven't? Well, of course, I don't want to be the first one to 
spread an evil report about any one. Least of all, a young 
man that's always been so well thought of. Though they 
do say he hasn't been as straight as people supposed. His 
mother always humored him too much, / think. 

Miss C. I'm sure Jamie's always behaved himself, and 
I should be very sorry to hear anything to the contrary 
now. I daresay, there's some mistake about it. 

Miss B. Oh, there isn't any doubt of it's being true. 
Miss Hale's cousin told Jane Seamon, and Jane's cook over- 
heard her telling Miss Daniels. I got it straight from her. 
Miss H. (severely) The cook, Madam? Do you ever 
believe servants' gossip? I never do — on general princi- 
ples. 

Miss B. Well — er — you see — I couldn't doubt this, 
coming as it did so straight. I know servants gossip — it's 
one of their worst faults. I never believe in talking about 
my neighbors' private affairs. I wouldn't speak of this if 

I hadn't felt so sorry for Mrs. Lane. I can feel for her 

even if I do think she's brought that boy up all wrong. 
But she never would take my advice, and now she must bear 
her disgrace as best she can. Of course, you won't any of 
you mention my telling you of this dreadful affair. By the 
way, Mrs. Alden, wasn't he very intimate with Freddy? 
Miss H. (aside) Freddy has bad companions, it seems. 
Mrs. a. They wer6 always good friends. Indeed — we 
have known Jamie ever since he was a baby. In fact, he 
and Freddy have grown up together. 

Miss B. Um . Rather unfortunate for you under 

the circumstances. A young girl 

Mrs. a. (alarmed) My dear Miss Bean, what are we 
thinking of to let you sit so long without a cup of tea. 
(pours tea and hands to Miss B.) I hope you will excuse 



8 FREDDY'S GEEAT AUNT. 

my thoughtlessness. Cream and sugar? {aside to Miss 
C.) Keep her busy eating and drinking the rest of the 
time she is here. (Miss C. offers cakes, confections, etc., 
to Miss B. and Mrs. A. gives tea to Mrs. H. and Miss B.) 

Miss B. {eating rather greedily) When did you say 
you expected Freddy back? 

Mrs. a. {nervously) I — we — don't know how long 
the visit will be this time. 

Miss B. {looking astonished) You don't know? Well, 
that's strange. Who should know if not youf 

Miss C. You see, Miss Bean, Freddy went rather unex- 
pectedly, and didn't say for how long, {aside to Mrs. A.) 
Give her some more tea. 

Miss B. {confidentially to Miss H.) Now isn't that a 
very peculiar way for a child to treat a mother? 

Miss H. Is Fred inclined to be headstrong? 

Miss B. I never thought so before. But this looks like 
it. 

Miss C. Do have some more cake, Miss Bean (Miss B. 
helps herself liberally) 

Mrs. a. And some hot tea. {offers some) 

Miss H. {aside) That Fred is a spoiled child, if ever 
there was one. I shall be thankful when I'm once out of 
this house. 

{Enter Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Scrib. Mrs. A. and Miss C. 
greet them and present them to Miss H. Miss B. nods, 
but is too busy eating to rise. They seat themselves, and 
Mrs. a. serves them with tea and Miss C. tcith cakes, 
etc., all talking at once meantime.) 

Mrs. a. {seating herself) It's so kind of you ladies — 
to come in this afternoon. I wanted you to meet my aunt 
before she left us. 

Mrs. J. You are going soon? 

Miss H. Tomorrow. 

Miss B. Oh, then you won't see Freddy. 

Miss H. I fear not. {aside) I mean I hope not. 

Mrs. S. What a pity. Really, you don't know what 
you're missing. 

Miss H. I daresay, {aside) I can guess part of it, 
though. 

Mrs. S. {to Mrs. A.) Why don't you telegraph Fred 
to come back tonight? 

Miss H. {hurriedly) No — no — I beg you not to think 
of it. It's always very confusing to me to have a person 
sent for in that hurried way. I'm — I'm coming again 
very soon, {aside) Between them all they'll contrive to 



FREDDY'S GREAT AUNT. 9 

get tliat boy here before I'm out of the house. I've a mind 
to start tonight and not run any further risk. 

Mrs. a. (aside) I must get tliem to talk of somethin^r 
else, [to Miss H.) What is that pretty bit of work voS 
have there, Aunt? ^ 

Miss H. Slippers. 

Mrs. S. For Freddy? 

Miss H. {scornfully) For Fred? Nonsense! For 
Fanny. 

Mrs. J. Another niece, 1 suppose. 

Miss H. No. (sighing) I wish she were. A niece is 
a very nice thing to have if she happens to be the right 
kmd — and Fanny is. ^ 

Mrs. J. But if you were to see Freddy I'm sure vou'd 
be quite satisfied. We all think — — 

Miss C. (hastily) Do have some more cake, Mrs 
Jones, (aside to Mrs. A.) Give her some tea. 

Miss B. Is — Fanny any relation of yours, 'may I ask? 

Miss H None whatever. I don't even know her name, 
or where she lives, but I mean to find out. 

Mrs. S. How odd to be making something for a person 
LT Y"""^ '"^ ^'^^^^ '^^'^"*' ^^"""^ ^^^'^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^" the young 

Miss H. Once. And of all sweet tempered, sensible, 
sympathetic beings I ever met, she was the most so Oh 
never fear — I'll find her. And then I mean to travel with 
her, and let her have music lessons — and everythin^^ else 
she wants. She told me she could sing, (during this'^Miis 
A has listened in dismay — exchanging glances icith Miss 

L^. ) 

Miss B. Well, Freddy sings too. (all, ^'Beautifully;' 
lovely voice," etc.) 

"v^'^^ P"^,?°T songs — most likely, (all, indignantly, 

No, indeed"; "nothing of the kind," etc.) 
T^r^"^ n ^ J^'^'^^'^d 6«c;;; into chair and speaking aside to 
Miss C.) There goes my poor Freddy's last chance and for 
an utter stranger. 

^^^^^ E' |''^'^«.^"^^^?/) I mean to tell her. Once she 
sees Freddy she will love her instantly — Miss Harmon 

Mrs. a. (clutching at Miss C.'s arm) No — no — vou 
must not I couldn't bear it before all these people. I'll 
tell her after they go, or write her. 

Miss H. (turning to Mrs. A.) Did you speak, niece? 

Mrs a. No — yes. Where did you say you met - er - 
Fanny? "^ "^ 

(Enter Freddy, unexpectedly.) 



10 FREDDY'S GREAT AUNT. 

Fred. Good afternoon everybody, {rushes up to Mrs. 
A., embraces Iter and kisses her, and does same to Miss C 
All act delighted to see her.) 

Fred, {to Mrs. A.) You didn't expect me, did you, 
dearie, {holds mother's hands) How could you when I 
didn't know myself I was coming until about an hour be- 
fore I started. You're not vexed, are you little mommie ? 

Mrs. a. {kissing her) No, of course not. But how did 
it happen? 

Fred. Well, you see Cousin John had to come down this 
afternoon. I did so hate to take the journey alone that I 
came with him, instead of waiting until tomorrow, as you 
wrote me to do. And I'm so glad to be here, {kisses her 
mother) 

Miss H. {to Mrs. J.) That's Fanny. 

Mrs. J. {astonished) Ridiculous! Why that's Freddy. 

Miss H. {with great dignity) Madam, I think I know 
Fanny when I see her. I may also add that I know a sweet 
young girl from a horrible, howling, nerve-racking boy. 
{knits very energetically) 

Mrs. J. {to Mrs. A.) Oh, Mrs. Alden, there's the most 
ludicrous mistake here. (Freddy turns and sees Miss H.) 

Fred, {running toward Miss H.) Oh, it's you. And 
how is your poor foot — and — and — however did you hap- 
pen to be here? 

Miss H. I came to visit my nepheiv. 

Mrs. a. {astonished) You've met your aunt before? 

Fred. Why, yes — if this is my aunt. But I don't un- 
derstand, (looks from Mrs. A, to Miss H.) 

Mrs. a. I — I — will have to explain. Oh — oh — how 
can I do it! {sobs in hands) 

Miss C. Let me do it for you, sister. You've had 
enough to bear, {to Miss H.) You see, Miss Harmon, 
you've been under a delusion all along. You've always 
taken it for granted that Freddy w^as a boy. Now, no one 
ever really told you she was. 

Miss H. No one ever told me she wasn't. If you or my 
niece had done so I might have been spared a very miserable 
week. 

Mrs, a. Aunt! I'm sure I've tried my best to make 
you comfortable. 

Miss H. So you have, my dear, so you have. But you 
don't know how I've suffered expecting Fred in trousers to 
pounce down upon me. However, I'm ready to forget it all 
since this is really my niece, {embraces Fred) 

Fred. Now isn't this exactly like something out of a 
story-book. Mamma, dear, I never dreamed you didn't 



FFvEDDY'S GREAT AUNT. H 

want me to meet Aunt Harmon. Why, just think, I saw 
her before you did. It's all too delightful for words. I 
must tell Jamie Lane all about it when he comes in this 
evening. 

Miss H._ {grasping Fred's arm) My dear, don't you 
have anything to do with that young man. 

FREDDr. (astonished) Why not? 

Miss H. (solemnly) He's disgraced his mother. 

Fred. What! 

Miss H. (still more solemhly) He's disgraced his 
mother. 

Fred. Jamie? (iyidignantly) Never! Who says so? 

Miss H. Miss Bean. 

Fred. But how? 

Miss H. She didn't say. (to Miss B.) Can you bring 
proof of what you said, Madam? 

Miss B. (confused) Why — er — well — I Well, 

you know I merely referred to that affair in church last 
Sunday. 

Fred. Oh, that! It was the funniest thing, (laughing) 
111 tell you about it. It was this way. Jamie, you know, 
always goes to church with his mother. 

Miss H. (glaring at Miss B.) A very proper thing to 
do. 

Fred. Well, last Sunday old Mrs. Grey fell asleep dur- 
ing the sermon 

Miss H. (severely) And he made fun of a poor tired 
old woman — whose age caused her to slumber when she 
shouldn't. 

Fred. Oh, not at all. But Miss Grey had some artificial 
berries on her hat and a swallow had flown in the window 
and lighted on them. It was so funny to see the bird try 
to pick those berries off, and Miss Grey wake up once in 
a while just enough to shake her head a little. Finally 
the swallow succeeded in loosening the whole bunch, and 
flew away with it in his bill. Miss Grey woke up then 
and put her hand up to her hat. When she discovered that 
part of the trimming was gone she turned around to Jamie 
(he sits in the pew back of her) and called out so that 
everyone around heard her: "Young man, hand back those 
berries." Jamie, of course, forgot for a moment where he 
was and laughed outright. His poor mother was dread- 
fully mortified, and Jamie told me she felt quite disgraced. 
I suppose that was what Miss B. meant. 

Miss H. {to Miss B.) Was it? 

Miss B. (confused) Why — er— yes. Of course you 
don't approve of such irreverent conduct? 

Miss H. I should have laughed myself if I had seen it. 



iofC. 



12 FREDDY'S GREAT AUNT. 

Fred. I'm sure you would. It amused me so much 
even to hear of it that I don't see how Jamie could have 
helped it. {laughs in which Miss H. joins) 

Fred {to Miss H.) And you're really and truly glad 
that I'm not a boy? 

Miss H. My dear, I never was so pleased at anything 
in my life. 

Mrs. a. {rising and holding out her hand to Miss H.) 
And you can forgive me for deceiving you? 

Miss H. {taking Mrs. A.'s hand) As Miss Cragin 
says, I began by deceiving myself. 

Miss C. Then you will have to pardon our not un- 
deceiving you. 

Miss H. For the sake of this dearest and sweetest girl 
I can overlook everything, {puts arm around Freddy) 

CUBTAIN. 



FRENCH'S MINOE 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



Price 15 Cents each.— Bound Vo 



VOL. f. 
1 The IrUh Attorney I 
f Booti lit the Swan 

8 How to Pay the RenI 
4 The Loan of a Lover 
6 The Dead Shot 

6 His La«t Legs 

7 The Invisible Prince 
6 The Golden Farmer 

VOL. n. 

9 Pride of the Market 

10 Used Up 

11 The Irish Tutor 

12 The Barrack Room 

13 Luke the Laborer 

14 Beauty and the Beast 

15 St. Patrick's Eve 

16 Captain of the Watch 

VOL. IIL 
IT Th-- Secret Ipers 

18 V.'nite Hor«e of the Pep- 

19 The Jacobite 
JO The Bottle 
81 Box and Cox 

22 Bamboozling 

23 Widow's Victim 

24 Robert Macaire 

VOL. IV. 
!J Secret Service 

26 Omnibus 

27 Irlih Lion 

28 Maidof Crolfiy 

29 The Old Guard 

80 RalBinjf the Wind 

81 Slasher and Cr«sher 
Engsgem 
VOL. V. 

13 Cockniee lu California 
84 Who Speaks First 
36 Bombastes Furioso 
8( Macbeth Travestie 

87 Irish Ambassador 

88 Delicate Ground 

89 The Weathercock fGold 

40 All that Glitters is Not 

VOL. VL 

41 Grimshaw, Bagshaw and 

Bradshaw 

42 Rough Diamond 

43 Bloomer Costume 

44 Two Bonnycaatles 

45 Born to Good Luck 

4b Kiss in the Dark [jurer 

47 'Twould Puzzle a Con- 

48 Kill or Cure 

VOL. vn. 

49 Box and Cox Married and 
JO St. Cupid [Settled 
61 Go-to-bed Tom 

82 The Lawyers 

63 Jack Sheppard 

64 The Toodles 
66 The Mobcap 
(6 Ladies Beware 

VOL. VIII. 
6T Morning Call 

68 Popping the Queitfon 

69 Deaf »s a Post 

60 New Footman 

61 Pleasant Neighbor 
6i Paddv the Piper 

63 Brian V)'Linn 

64 Irish A tsurance 

VOL. IX. 

65 Temptation 

66 Paddv Carey 

67 Two Gregories 

68 King Charming 

69 Po-ca-hon-t!is 

TO Clockmaker's Hat 
tl Married Rake 
72 Love and Murder 

VOL. X. , 
T3 Ireland and America 
T4 Pretty Piece of Busines* 
76 Irish Brooui-maker 

76 To Paris and Back 

Five Pounds 

77 That Blessed BabS 
18 Our Gal 
79 Swiss Cottage 
86 y«ung Widow 



for 



VOL. XI. 

81 O'Flaanigan and the Fal 

82 Irish Post [riei 

83 My Neighbor's Wife 

84 Irish Tiger 

85 P. P., or Man and Tiger 
66 To Oblige Benson 

87 State Secrets 

88 Irish Yankee 

VOL. xir. 

89 A Good Fellow 

90 Cherry and Fair Star 

91 Gale Breeiely 

92 Our Jeniimy 

93 Miller's Maid 

94 Awkward Arrival 

95 Crossing the Line 

96 Conjugal Lesson 

VOL. XIII. 

97 My Wife's Mirror 

98 Life in New York 

99 Middy Ashore 

100 Crown Prince 

101 Two Quefns 

104 Thumping Legacy 
108 Unfinished Gentleman 

104 House Dog 

VOL. XIV. 

105 The Demon Lover 

106 Matrimony 

107 In and Out of Place 

108 I Dine with My Mother 

109 Hi-a-wa-tha 
III Andy Blake 

111 Love" in '76 [ties 

112 Romance under Difficul- 

VOL. XV. 

113 One Coat for 2 Suits 

114 A Decided Case 

115 Daughter [norltv 

116 No; or, the Glorious Mi- 

117 Coroner's Inquisition 

118 Love lu Humble Life 

119 Family Jars 

120 Personation 

VOL. XVI. 

121 Children in the Wood 

122 Winning a Husband 
123- Day After the Fair 

124 Make Your Wills 

125 Rendezvous 

126 My Wife's Husband 

127 Monsieur Tonson 

123 Illustrious Stranger 

VOL. XVII. 

129 Mischief-Making [Mines 

130 A Lire Woman in the 

131 The Corsair 

132 Shi-lock 

133 Spoiled Child 

134 Evil Eve 

135 Nothing to Nurs« 

136 Wanted a Widow 

VOL. XVIIL 

137 Lottery Ticket 

138 Fortune's Frolic 

139 Is he Jealous} 

140 Married Bachelor 

141 Husband at Sight 
14i Irishman in London 

143 Animal Magnetism 

144 Highways and By-Ways 

VOL. XIX. 

145 Columbus 

146 Harlequin Bluebeard 

147 Ladiei at Home 

148 Phenomenon in ft Smock 

Frock 

149 Comedy and Tragedy 

150 Opposite Neighbors 

151 Dutchman's Ghost 
162 Persecuted Dutchman 

VOL. XX. 
rS3 Musard Ball 
154 Great Tragic Revival 
'55 High Low Jack & Game 

156 A Gentleman from Ire- 

157 Tom and Jerry [land 

158 Village Lawyer 

159 Captain's not A-miss 

160 Amateurs and Actors 



I 



VOL. 

161 Promotlor 

162 A Fascin 

163 Mrs. Cauc 

164 Shakespeare's Dream 

165 Neptune's Defeat 

166 Lady of Bedchamber 

167 Take Care of Little 

168 Irish Widow [Charley 

VOL. XXII. 

169 Yankee Peddler 

170 Hiram Hireout 

171 Double-Bedded Room 

172 The Drama Defended 

173 Vermont Wool Dealer 

174 Kbenezer Venture [ter 

175 Principles from Charac 

176 Ladv of the Lake (Trav) 

VOL. XXIII. 

177 Mad Does 

178 Barney the Baron 

179 Swiss Swains 

180 Bachelor's Bedroom 

181 A Roland for an Oliver 

182 Moro Blunders than One 

183 Dumb Belle 

184 Limerick Boy 

VOL. XXIV. 

185 Nature and Philosophy 

186 Teddy the Tiler 

187 Spectre Bridegroom 

188 Matteo Falcone 

189 Jenny Lind 
i90 Two Buzzard* 
191 Happy Man 
193 Betsy Baker 

VOL. XXV. 

193 No. 1 Round the Comer 

194 Teddy Roe 

195 Object of Interest 
1»6 My Fellow Clerk 

197 Bengal Tiger 

198 Laughing Hvena 

199 The Victor Vanquished 

200 Our Wife 

VOL. XXVL 

201 My Husband's Mirror 

202 Yankee Land 

203 Norah Creina 

204 Good for Nothing 
-- The First Night 

206 The Eton Boy 

207 Wandering Minstrel 

208 Wanted, 1000 Milliners 
VOL. XXVIL 

PoorPileoddy 

210 The Mummy [Glasses 

211 Don't Forgst your Opera 

212 Love in Livery 

213 Anthony and Cleopatra 

214 Trying It On 

216 Stage Struck Yankee 

216 Young Wife & Old Um- 

brella 
VOL. XXVIIL 

217 Crinoline 

218 A Family Failing 

219 Adopted Child 

220 Turned Heads 

221 A Match in the Dark 

222 Advice to Husbands 

223 Siamese Twins 

224 Sent to the Tower 
VOL. XXIX. 

225 Somebody Else 

226 Ladies' Battle 

227 Art of Acting 

228 The Lady of the Lions 

229 The Rights of Man 

230 My Husband's Ghost 

231 Two Can Play at that 
Game 

232 Fighting by Proxy 
VOL. XXX. 

233 Unprotected Female 

234 Pet of the Petticoats 

235 Forty and Fifty [book 

236 Who Stole the PockeU 

237 Mr Son Diana [sion 

238 Unwarrantable Intru- 

239 Mr. and Mrs. White 

240 A Quiet Family 



017 401 675 6 

244 A Blighted Being 

245 Little Toddlekins 

246 A Lover by Proxy [Pall 

247 Maid with the Milking 

248 Perplexing Predicament 
VOL. XXXII. 

249 Dr. Dil worth 

250 Out to Nurse 

251 A Lucky Hit 

252 The Dow.ager 

253 Metamora (Burlesque) 

254 Dreams of Delusion 

255 The Shaker Lovers 

256 Ticklish Times 
VOL. XXXIIL 

057 20 Minutes with a Tiger 

258 Miralda ; or, the Justice 
of Tacon 

259 A Soldier's Courtship 

260 Servants by Legacy 



Dving for Love 
Alarmi.ig Sacrif 



(French's Minor Drama Continued on ^d page o/Cover.) 



262 Alarmi.ig Sacrifice 

263 Valet de Sham 

264 Nicholas Mckleby 

VOL. XXXIV. 

265 The Last of the Pigtails 

266 King Rene's Daughter 

267 The Grotto Nymph 

268 A Devilish Good Joke 

269 A Twice Told Tale 

270 Pas de Fascination 
»71 Revolutionary Soldier 

272 A Man Without a Head 

VOL. XXXV. 

273 The Olio, Part 1 
S74The Olio, Part J 

275 The Olio, Part 3 [ter 

276 The Trumpeter's Daugh- 

277 Seeing Warren 

278 Green Mountain Boy 

279 That Nose 

2S0 Tom Noddy's Secret 

VOL. XXXVL 
281 Shocking Events 

A Regular Fix 

Dick Turpin 

284 Young Scamp 

285 Young Actress 

286 Csll at No. 1—7 

287 One Touch of Natuit 
TwoB'hoys 

VOL. XXXVII, 
All the World'ii a Stage 

290 Quash, or Nigger Prac- 

291 Turn Him Out [tice 

292 Pretty Girls of StlUberg 

293 Angel of the Attic 

294 CircumstancesalterCates 

295 Katty O'Sheal 

296 A Supper in Dixie 

VOL. XXXVIIL 

297 Ici on Parle Francais 

298 Who Killed Cock Robin 

299 Declaration of Independ- 
SOO Heads or Tails [ence 

Obstinate Family 
302 Mv Aunt 

rHat Rascal Pat 

304 Don Paddy de Bazan 
VOL. XXXIX. [ture 

305 Too Much for Good Na- 
Cure for the Fidgets 

307 Jack's the Lad 

308 Much Ado AboutNothlng 

309 ArtfuhDodger 

310 Winning Hasard 

1 Day's Fishing [Ac. 

2 Did you ev«r'send your, 

VOL. XL. 
313 An Irishman's Maneuver 
;il4 Cousin Fannie 

315 'Tis the Darkest Hour be- 

316 Masquerade [fore Dawn 

317 Crowding the Season 
3)8 Good Night's Rest 

319 Man with the Carpet Bag 

320 Terrible Tinker 



JiAMUEL FRENCH, a6 West aad Street, New York City. 

New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Request 



